ALL ROADS LEAD TO DALLAS: USA CRITS Championship Series organizers name TX Tough Grand Prix III as series finale

High-speed, breakneck action will thrill spectators as riders face off in the final series event that decides overall series champion

DALLAS – On Thursday, September 16th, sports fans that enjoy heart pounding, fast-paced action will again have an opportunity to cheer for some of professional cycling’s biggest stars as the TX Tough Grand Prix III returns to Dallas in Victory Park. However, this year spectators can expect added drama because the USA CRITS Championship Series organizers have selected the TX Tough Grand Prix III as this year’s final showdown where the Overall Series Champion will be crowned. Although seldom used, CRITS is an acronym for Criterium Racing in the States.

Now in its fourth year, the USA CRITS Championship Series is a collection of the best and most prestigious bike races in America, organized under one umbrella with one mission ? to crown the best professional cyclist in the country, and this year ALL ROADS LEAD TO DALLAS!

“Coming to Dallas was the right move for the future of the Series,” said Gene Dixon, co-founder of the USA CRITS Championship Series. “We have heard nothing but positive feedback from teams and riders who have attended the Grand Prix the last two years. It was easily one of the most exciting races of the Series last year, and moving the series finals to Dallas guarantees the Championship will be televised. We are excited about the decision and it definitely sets the stage for the future.”

Last year’s festival-like atmosphere attracted nearly 10,000 spectators, all who lined the streets of Victory Park in the shadows of the American Airlines Center. The evening featured opportunities to eat amazing food, VIP hospitality areas that included premier views of the course, and live music while watching America’s top cycling professional’s battle to be crowned the next TX Tough Champion.

“This is one of the best events we’ve ever hosted in the Plaza and the decision by USA CRITS to make Dallas home to the Series finale just takes the race to the next level,” said Dave Brown, General Manager of the American Airlines Center. “To see these athletes race through the streets is breathtaking. The atmosphere around the arena is electric and this year I expect, again, to be on the edge of my seat for the full hour. It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a great time and something you do not want to miss.”

In its third year, the TX Tough Grand Prix III is a high-speed, circuit style bike race known as a criterium. Professional cyclists will race around a 1500-meter loop through Victory Park in downtown Dallas, reaching speeds in excess of 50 MPH for just over 60 minutes. The event showcases more than 100 professionals from around the world and has included national, world and former Tour de France champions all who are competing for a piece of the $25,000 cash up for grabs.

The Grand Prix is part of a larger, grassroots fundraising campaign called TX Tough that exclusively benefits Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Individuals involved in TX Tough’s campaign have collectively raised more than $560,000 cash since its kick-off 18 months ago. The Grand Prix started as a tool to attract media exposure and promote participation in the fundraising campaign, but this year organizers have created a way for fundraisers to actually participate. New in 2010, the TX Tough Grand Prix III will include an amateur race limited to the first 150 individuals who raise $600.

“The addition of an amateur race was something we have wanted to do as an effort to continue and drive participation in the fundraising campaign for Children’s” said Geoff Godsey, Executive Director, who will be returning to bike racing in 2010 as a member of the Kenda Pro Cycling team and is expected to race in this year’s Grand Prix.

“The last two years, we have been fortunate to have more than 150 volunteers turn out to make the event possible and a success,” Godsey said. “We have had overwhelming support from the local cycling community and adding a component so cycling enthusiast’s can actually race was a no brainer and something we had hoped we could do at some point. Adding the opportunity to host the USA CRITS Championship Series finale will make for a monumental day for TX Tough, and more importantly, Children’s Medical Center.”